Looking for fun, educational and interactive apps for the kids? There are so many options to choose from for both smartphones and tablets. From puzzle games to interactive storybooks, coding adventures and strategy apps, there’s a game type for every little learner. Here are our top picks.
Ages 5 and Under
1. Tiny Robot Maker
With this playful app, kids can build funky robots from colourful pieces of scrap metal, cogs and pipes. You can even print out their favourite designs and turn them into greeting cards, party invitations, colouring pages or art activities. For kids who aren’t a fan of robots, Tiny Owl, Tiny Fairy and Tiny Alien options are also available.
Download:
iTunes ($2.99)
2. Monkey Preschool Lunchbox
The #1 preschool game in the app store – Monkey Preschool Lunchbox – features seven fun games that teach kids about colours, letters, counting, shapes and sizes. Adorable animated monkeys help you along the way, and you get sticker rewards for completing games. In this same series are Monkey Preschool Explorers, Monkey Math School Sunshine, Monkey Preschool Fix-It and more.
Download:
iTunes ($2.99)
Google Play ($2.79)
3.Toca Nature
Your kiddies can create and interact with mesmerising natural landscapes in the beautifully-designed open-ended app. There’s no storyline to follow, so it’s perfect for little minds who think outside the box. Players can build natural elements, like trees, lakes, and mountains, and observe what happens when animals move in and food sources are created. The pace is calming and slow, and the app is non-violent. It’s the perfect app for encouraging positive conversation about earth conservation and protecting the environment.
Download:
iTunes ($2.99)
Google Play ($4.99)
Ages 6 – 8
1. GoldieBlox: Adventures in Coding – The Rocket Cupcake Co.
Kids can deliver cupcakes on their own Super Speedy Rocket skateboard in this educational Ruby on the Rails app. Code the path of your skateboard around the grocery store and collect cupcake ingredients. Next, head to the kitchen to scoop up your orders and deliver them to the people of Bloxtown. Learn new coding concepts as the map gets more difficult and play mini-games along the way. GoldieBlox and the Movie Machine is also available for budding movie enthusiasts.
Download:
iTunes ($4.49)
2. Splash Math
Want your kids to brush up on their maths skills without feeling like they’re chained to a school desk? Introducing Splash Math! This fun and educational app is a comprehensive and curriculum aligned program with a self-paced approach. It’s perfect for visual learners, with plenty of interactive elements and pictures to help with problem-solving.
Download:
iTunes (Free)
3. Monument Valley
Winner of the Apple Design Award in 2014, Monument Valley is a surreal exploration through fantastical architecture and impossible geometry. The puzzle game is inspired by MC Escher and follows a princess as she navigates her way through mind-bending architecture and a world that ignores gravity.
Download:
iTunes ($3.99)
Google Play ($5.99)
Ages 9 – 11
1. Adventures of Poco Eco – Lost Sounds
A tap-to-navigate adventure game, Adventures of Poco Eco is a meditative musical journey through a lush neon wonderland. It’s perfect for hypersensitive kids who get stressed out easily and need a way to calm down. Players control Poco, a lone explorer who travels the land to recover sounds and save the world from ominous subwaves. The graphics are gorgeous, the puzzles are fun, and the scenery is whimsical – perfect for imaginative minds!
Download:
iTunes ($1.99)
Google Play ($3.79)
2. Lumino City
At the center of this mysterious puzzle game is a young woman named Lumi who embarks on a quest to save her grandfather after he’s been kidnapped. The game has impressive visuals; every environment was physically built by hand with real-world objects, photographed, and filmed with extreme precision. Players collect items and solve mind-bending puzzles while working through the interactive story.
Download:
iTunes ($4.99)
3. DragonBox Elements
This innovative geometry app combines more than 100 challenging puzzles and an interactive storyline about collecting creatures to form an army and fight the enemy monster, Osgard. The levels are organised into seven chapters, and kids learn new powers, or rules, in each chapter.
Download:
iTunes ($4.99)
Google Play ($6.80)
Looking for long or short-term technology for hire? Macrae Rentals have all your personal technology solutions in one place. Smartphones, Tablets, Game Consoles and more! Get in touch with us today to find out how we can help you inspire your kids to learn.
